Ogunquit residents approve pesticide ban

Pesticide ban approved

OGUNQUIT — Approximately 40 percent of registered voters turned out Tuesday to cast their ballots on the 67 warrant articles and budget items while also choosing between three candidates for two Select Board seats.

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By Chris Hayden

seacoastonline.com

By Chris Hayden

Posted Jun. 12, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Chris Hayden
Posted Jun. 12, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

OGUNQUIT — Approximately 40 percent of registered voters turned out Tuesday to cast their ballots on the 67 warrant articles and budget items while also choosing between three candidates for two Select Board seats.

Barbara Dailey and Gary Latulippe both won seats on the Select Board, Dailey returning for her second term. The other elections were all uncontested. They included David Fazzina earning a two-year and Diana Allen a three-year seat on the Wells-Ogunquit School Committee and William Sawyer was elected to a two-year term on the Budget Review Committee.

"I'm really pleased to be re-elected," said Dailey.

Dailey said the results help validate what she's tried to bring to the board in her term as chair: a greater emphasis on interaction between the board and the public.

"In the comments I've heard while running, people have said they feel more comfortable coming to the podium," said Dailey. "That the board in total feels professional. This validates the whole approach."

Dailey said she is relieved that the work she and the board have in the air won't be interrupted by the election and also enthusiastic that Latulippe is now in the mix.

"He's got a nice mix of experience and represents a large constituency," said Dailey. "He also understands it isn't about what you think, but that you represent a large constituency."

As for Latulippe, he said he is "thankful and excited."

Latulippe, who has three young children under 6 and owns two businesses in town, said he doesn't see a singular issue to overcome but wants to build a better line of communication between town residents and business owners.

"Business and residential interests aren't exclusive," said Latulippe. "I want to bring perspective to people. I live and breathe here as a resident as well. The business community, I think, can do a better job in communicating."

Latulippe will be the only local business owner on the board and said he hopes to continue bringing that viewpoint to town residents.

"We understand the impact we have on the town," said Latulipe. "We want to be good stewards."

Of the remaining 60 articles, only a reserve account for public works vehicles and surveillance cameras for Perkins Cove were struck down by voters.

Voters were in a generous mood as all other budgetary items were passed with relative ease including a nearly $80,000 increase in visitor services, the department responsible the parking lots that serves as the front-line for the town throughout the summer months. The vote was 217 to 170 with 24 ballots left blank.

According to Town Manager Tom Fortier, the department helps bring in over $1.5 million in revenue per year and will now be staffed full time with personnel using the winter months to train and coordinate for the upcoming season.

Fire and rescue, looking to add another firefighter during the summer months, was given the go ahead by voters 271 to 116 with 26 ballots left blank. The added personnel gives the department greater flexibility during the busy summer season, according to Dailey.

One of the most discussed warrant articles was one brought forward by the Conservation Commission that looked to limit or ban the use of chemical pesticides or insecticides on lawns throughout Ogunquit. The article asked voters to switch to organic or other natural means to combat invasive species in their lawns and gardens. It passed 206 to 172, making Ogunquit the first town in Maine and, according to Conservation Commission Chair Mike Horn, the second town in the country to pass such a ban.

"The committee did an excellent job," said Horn, citing the workshops, public meetings and presentation from various experts as one of the big factors in the article passing.

"These things take time," said Horn. "It takes time to convince people."

Horn said the conversation isn't complete and plans on hosting several educational programs for residents and business owners to learn about landscaping alternatives.